Cartilage injury

Luka Modric faces up to a month on the sidelines after doctors detected a problem affecting his left knee. The midfielder underwent tests at the Sanitas-La Moraleja Clinic in Madrid which revealed damage to the cartilage inside his knee. It remains to be seen how long Modric will be out but medical staff estimate a period of around one month which means that he will miss Madrid’s league meetings with Eibar, Betis, Athletic Club and possibly Alavés.

Isco on standby

In the Champions League he will be unavailable for the MatchDay 3 meeting with Legia at the Bernabéu but may be back in time for the return in Warsaw on 2 November. In the meantime, his place will be covered by Isco.